Accessories

A bevy of famed virtuosi — Robert Plimpton, Walt Strony, David Peckham, Lew Williams, Jonas Nordwall, Ty Woodward, Chris Elliott, Simon Gledhill — showcase The Spreckels Organ’s capabilities from transcriptions to theatre. The organ in San Diego’s Balboa Park is symphonic in design and is very capable of playing most music styles. All of the selections on this recording are recorded during live performances.

America the Beautiful American Patrol March Haunted House Moonlight Serenade Three Jazz Classics Chattanooga Choo-Choo Romanza Waltz from The Merry Widow Euphonic Sounds In a Persian Market Handful of Keys Valse Triste
Serenade to Moonlight Dance of the Hours Promenade Army & Navy March Tico Tico The Star-Spangled Banner

Written by Richard Amero, Edward S. Barr, Lyle Blackinton, and Kenneth Herman, this booklet recounts the history of the Spreckels Organ in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Still drawing audiences in the thousands after 95 years, the organ remains housed in its own outdoor pavilion and perpetuates the generous spirit of its donors. The organ was a gift to the city of San Diego by John D. and Adolph B. Spreckels and first delighted an audience on New Year’s Eve 1915. The history includes many stories of the organ, goings-on at its concerts and the series of civic organists and curators who have cared for audiences and organ alike for nearly a century.